Review Roundup: Google Maps for iPhone

Google released a new Maps application for the iPhone last night, and the Internet is going wild over it.

The new application gives iPhone 5 owners and users that upgraded to the newest iPhone operating system an alternative to Apple 's maps application — which was so bad that Apple CEO Tim Cook had to issue a public apology for it.

The verdict came in quickly: It’s superior to Apple Maps, and is already considered the go-to maps application. It rocketed to the top of the Apple App Store and is now the most popular free app after being live for just hours.

Here are what a few tech enthusiasts from around the Web are saying:

David Pogue, New York Times: “You can sense the new app’s polish and intelligence the minute you enter your first address; it’s infinitely more understanding. When I type “200 W 79, NYC,” Google Maps drops a pin right where it belongs: on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Apple’s Maps app, on the other hand, acts positively drunk.”

Nathan Olivarez-Giles, Wired: “The wait is finally over. Google Maps is in Apple’s App Store, available for both the iPhone and iPad, bringing hope to those who have been having trouble getting around since the Apple mapocalypse.”

Rafat Ali, Skift: “Our long national nightmare is over: Google Maps app for iPhone is now live. Really solid effort from Google, and a collective sigh of relief from all of us lost souls.”

John Fingas, Engadget: “Yes, if you’re wondering, the major checklist features that users have wanted are here… We only had a limited opportunity to try on short notice, but it covers the vital navigation properly and brings in Google’s very natural-sounding voices from the Google Search app and Google Now for Android users running Jelly Bean. We’d pick it over Nokia Here in most cases, and usually Apple Maps. We’ll admit that Apple’s solution is easier on the eyes, but accuracy trumps prettiness (and occasional at-a-glance readability) any day.”

Matt Buchanan, Buzzfeed FWD: “The notion that “Google is getting better at design faster than Apple is getting better at web services” has huge implications, and we may well be about to cross the threshold where we really get to see exactly what that means.”

Dieter Bohn, The Verge: “Compared to Apple’s Maps app, Google Maps clearly wins on the data front, with complete mass transit directions and fewer of the accuracy issues that have plagued the built-in app. What’s more intriguing is that Google Maps also matches (or beats, depending on your taste) Apple Maps in its speed, design, and overall aesthetics. It’s the combination of massive and accurate data with a well-made app that makes Google’s offering so compelling.”